Junior Monarch finalists raring to go

The finalists in the Scotiabank Junior Calypso Monarch competition, which is being held in association with IGM Stage Lighting, drew yesterday for the positions they will be performing in on the big stage at the Sir Garfield Sobers Complex on July 21.

In the 7-12 category, Casey ‘KCB’ Jemmott-Boyce will be hitting the stage first with her song ‘Save This Country’. Jemmott-Boyce will be followed by Emari ‘Browne Star’ Browne singing ‘Peace’; Keimani ‘Master Kei’ Deane with ‘Homeless Not Hopeless’; Sakarah ‘Sakarah’ Thomas with ‘Colour My Barbados’; Kiara ‘Star Diamond’ King with ‘Bim Tomorrow’; Joshua ‘Joshua B’ Blackman singing ‘Magic Man’; Kari-Anne ‘Just Kari’ Holford-Sam singing ‘Where All the Good Girls Gone’, and Kenaz ‘Might Bit Bit’ Walker with ‘Please Give Bit Bit De Crown’.

Slated to start the competition in the 13-18 category on finals night is Dequon ‘Quon’ Alleyne singing ‘Tales From De Crypt’, who will be followed by Kymorhi ‘De Overcomer’ Trotman with ‘Bon Appetit’; Princess ‘Make’da’ Thomas with ‘Tell Me Why’, Daniel ‘Yahandje’ Yahandje; Asher ‘Dymano’ Murrell; Symar ‘Symar’ Doyle singing ‘Beauty’; Faith ‘Miracle’ Murrell with ‘Miracle Education’; and Raanan ‘Raanan’ Hacket singing ‘Kneel & Pray’.

The finalists drew their positions at Scotiabank Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall yesterday, where there were also performances from 2017 13-18 winner Sparkle T, and Mhizz Kibabba, who won the crown in the 7-12 category.

The Barbados Advocate spoke to some of the finalists to see how they were feeling about the positions they pulled, and how the preparation process for the upcoming big night has been going.

Jemmott-Boyce said she is not fazed by having to step on stage first, noting that she intends to set the bar high for those coming behind her to follow.

“So I feel it is a good position to get. Well I feel I have improved by expressing myself. Really, I just want to win. But in the end I figure everyone is a winner because they came all the way to the finals,” ten-year-old Jemmott-Boyce said.

Meanwhile Daniel, who will be performing at fourth position in the 13-18 category, said she believes she chose the perfect number. Daniel said the transition from the 7-12 category to competing with the bigger boys and girls has been a little difficult, but yet a great experience.

“It was hard because I know that it was no more mediocre competition. I know that I was in the bigger competition so I had to work harder to gain my spot and my position in the finals. I think it is a fair game, and the competition will come on finals night,” 14-year-old Daniel said.

Walker said at first he was a little taken back that he picked position No. 8.

However, the first-timer assured that he was feeling okay after a pep talk with his mother, who informed that he was at a good position, as he would be able to evaluate his fellow competitors before he goes on stage to perform.

“I will be the best that I can be,” Walker said. (AH)